They call it “water cocaine” because of its high price, but it is actually the swim bladder of a Mexican fish called totoaba.

On the Chinese black market, a kilo of this organ can exceed US $ 8,500 and it is purchased by wealthy people who consider it a collector’s item, a dowry, a gift and even a financial investment.

In traditional Chinese medicine this bladder – which controls the buoyancy of the fish without the need for muscular effort – is considered a remedy for a variety of diseases, something that no scientific research has been able to demonstrate.

With it soups are made that supposedly relieve discomfort during pregnancy and improve joint pain .